First haircut

All parts of my hair were exactly the same length. (of course...) Because of that, the bottom part close to the neck looked a lot longer than the top part. It's time to get trimmed!

I went to see my stylist Gina who cut my hair to shoulder length in January and did military cut in February. It took her for 5 minites to clean up my hair this time. It looks much much better. I like it. I miss going to the salon...

When does "survivor" status start?

Am I a survivor from the day I got cancer even if I didn't know I had it?

Am I a survivor from the day I was diagnosed?

Am I a survivor from the day I finished treatments?

or Do I need to make it 5 years?

I don't think there is a clear definition or answer for this. There is still a chance of recurrence after 5 years. To tell you the truth, "when" is not important. The important thing is to have "new normal" life, let your cancer experience enrich your life and move forward.

Some people look at me like I'm damaged. Some people think I'm cured. Some people think I'm all good because I look good. I don't consider myself a survivor yet. I don't think it's over yet. I constantly fight against the fear of recurrence and anxiety. My chance of recurrence in 10 years is between 8 to 9%. Statistically, only 1 of 250 women in 30's gets breast cancer, which is less than 0.5%. Because I was already in 0.5% category, statistics don't mean too much to me anymore. To me, surviving means simply living. There is nothing more important than living every day with joy and appreciation.

Last procedure for reconstruction

This is it. I got my first tattoo ever! This is to rebuild the nipple and areola as completion of breast reconstruction. I was given local anesthesia. I couldn't see what's going on but I could hear the drilling sound and feel it without pain. I felt a little pain towards the end so doctor gave me more medicine. He said "well, people don't get numbing medicine out there." oh boy...

There is a newer procedure called nipple-sparing mastectomy. The nipple and areola are left in place while the breast tissue under them is removed. However, my surgeon favored total mastectomy because the nipple has the same type of breast tissue as inside the skin.

All I have from now is follow up appointment with my cancer doctors, general surgeon, plastic surgeon and oncologist. I can official say I'm done!

PS: To my girlfriends, I will show you my final product per your request :)